You’re Not Behind: Coping with Life Pressures in Your Early 20s 

If it feels like the weight of the world is sitting on your chest lately, you’re not imagining it. Whether it’s trying to meet academic deadlines, keeping up with social media, planning your future, or just getting out of bed, it’s a lot. And the pressure isn’t coming from one direction. It’s everywhere, all at once. 

According to the American Psychological Association, Gen Z is reporting higher levels of stress than any other generation. School, finances, job uncertainty, climate anxiety, and identity exploration are just a few of the pressure points. Many young people feel they’re expected to juggle it all with a smile. 

But here’s the thing: coping doesn’t mean pretending everything’s fine. It means creating space to not be okay and finding tools, however small, that help you stay grounded. 

To better understand how youth can navigate this pressure without burning out, a registered psychotherapist in Toronto, who works primarily with teens and young adults and has asked to remain unnamed, shared her perspective. 

“There’s this feeling of emotional fatigue that shows up over and over,” she explains. “Gen Z is expected to stay politically informed, emotionally available, academically successful, and constantly connected online. That’s a full-time emotional workload before you even open a textbook.” 

While many young people feel like they’re drowning in expectations, social media can both connect and harm. “It’s not just fear of missing out anymore,” she adds. “It’s fear of falling behind, of not being good enough, fast enough, or successful enough.” 

When asked what helps, the therapist doesn’t offer a one-size-fits-all solution or strict wellness routine. Instead, she talks about balance. 

“We’re not built to be ‘on’ all the time,” she says. “Coping doesn’t have to look like a perfect wellness routine. It can be as simple as turning your phone off an hour earlier, saying no to one extra commitment, or letting yourself rest without guilt.” 

She also emphasizes that support is more accessible than many realize. Organizations like      Kids Help Phone and One Stop Talk offer free support, no referrals or appointments needed. Just someone to talk to without judgment. 

The bottom line? Life is overwhelming, and coping is rarely clean or linear. It’s okay if some days just feel like survival. It’s okay if you’re not always productive, positive, or put together. What matters is recognizing that you deserve care, whether that’s from a therapist, a friend, or yourself. 

“You don’t need to hit a breaking point before you ask for help,” the therapist reminds. “You don’t need to be in crisis to deserve support.” 

And maybe that’s the real coping skill no one teaches us: knowing we’re allowed to slow down, speak up, and say this is too much—and still be enough.